Proverbs 31:25 Commentary and Bible Study

In the community she earns great respect by her quiet and diligent carrying out of her responsibilities. She is clothed metaphorically with strength and honour, for these are the things that she is known by. That strength is not physical but mental, moral, spiritual, which is of much greater worth than physical strength. Physical strength can be improved above what we receive naturally, but moral strength can be improved far more. Physical strength is increased by exercise of muscles, but moral strength is improved by righteous living, and strength of character is improved by carrying out our responsibilities diligently, by overcoming hardship, by exercising patience in aggravating circumstances. As we do these things, we not only overcome the immediate challenge, but we add strength to ourselves permanently. For this she receives honour of the highest kind, for those who know her appreciate that she does all things well, and fulfils her God-appointed role in life.The tasks which she carries out require determination, diligence, and persistence. It is not always easy to keep going, but she carries on, working against the future, hoping for a future reward. Part of that reward may come in this life, but much more will come in eternity and will come not from men but from God. This is the mindset of all Christians, for they are content to work unseen and in relative obscurity, hoping for God’s promised reward in the future, and content that what human beings fail to recognise, he will not forget, and he will understand all that it cost us to obey him.